Liverpool Daily Post

The head of the giant Unilever group last night entered the debate over genetically modified crops by encouraging more honesty with consumers. Niall Fitzgerald, the company's chief executive, told a meeting there were "many understandable questions about the effects of GM crops", but they still offered too many possibilities to ignore.

Mr Fitzgerald made his comments in an address to the Sainsbury's-sponsored City Food Lecture, which took place at London's Guildhall. He said the growth of organic food and the development of sustainable agriculture offered opportunities, but he stressed there was a "third way".

"I believe it is time for a fresh start on genetically-modified organisms in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

"There have been too many understandable questions about the effects of GM crops on the environment and people's health. I welcome these because they are the foundation of a good debate.

"There have also been numerous instances of alarmist and hysterical reporting, law-breaking and pseudo-science.

"We face a barrier of deep public suspicion in Europe. Can it be overcome? I believe that it can if we remember the importance of working with consumers and speaking their language." He said there had been a "failure to reach the consumer" over GM crops and that those with a vested interest needed to communicate "directly and honestly".

He said that ignoring the new science could prevent people in the developing world reaping the benefits.

"We turn the face of ignorance and blindness to science and pretend that nothing will ever change, although our experience teaches us otherwise." But was it right that we "thought only of ourselves, while nearly one billion of our fellow human beings are malnourished".

The speech was immediately criticised by Friends of the Earth which said Mr Fitzgerald had a "weak" grasp of the debate on GM food and crops.

Pete Riley, the group's senior food campaigner, said: "Mr Fitzgerald should make sure that he is better briefed in future."